How Long Until Bike Seat Stops Hurting?
Anyone gets excited to get a new bike. However, riding a new one regularly can sometimes be the reason for severe backaches. It takes time for a person to get used to sitting on the saddle for a long time while riding the bike. So,how long until bike seat stops hurting?
The pain from the bike seat usually stops hurting after 2 to 3 weeks of the initial ride. If the pain stays a long time, it’s essential that you immediately change the saddle of your bike.
So, here in this blog, we’ll let you know about two major body parts that could hurt the most and the possible ways you can make your riding more comfortable.
The Two Major Body Parts that Face the Most Pressure During Biking
While riding a bike, three of your body parts play the most vital role – hands, feet, and glutes. If you are riding a bike for more than one or two hours, the muscles in these body parts start getting strained and pressurized.
As a result, they start aching, which could take more than 2 to 3 weeks to heal. Here are two significant parts of your body that experience the most strains.
- Sit-bones
Your sit-bones are in direct contact with your bike seat. Therefore, a long duration of biking can indeed be the reason for severe pain. Because of the bike seat, you can experience soreness, redness, inflammation, and even bone aches in your sit bones.
However, giving it some time to heal and getting used to your bike seat can help minimize this pain.
- Thighs
Your inner thighs can suffer from chafing due to going back and forth on the sides of the bike seat. This pain can get severe if not looked after. So, applying some cream to the affected area and adjusting your seat spacing can heal it in a week.
However, if your saddle is not suitable for you, then it might even take longer to stop hurting. In that case, taking proper prevention measures and replacing it is necessary. Otherwise, the pain will only elevate.
How to Avoid Getting Hurt From Bike Seat
Making yourself comfortable and adjusting your saddle to fit you is the main point to not getting hurt by a bike seat. Apart from that, you can take a few more steps to ensure that your bike seat stops hurting you in the long run.
- Padded Shorts
If you ride a bike regularly and for an extended period of time, using padded shorts can be a great idea. These pads aim to avoid soreness and pain from your bike seat. In short, these shorts can surely come in handy, especially when you plan to pedal for a long time.
- Adjust The Bike Seat
Making sure your bike seat adjusts perfectly according to your height is very necessary. If your weight is poorly distributed across the seat, then your legs and glutes will slowly start hurting due to the imbalance. So, always remember to adjust it according to your leg length.
- Adjust Your Position
Biking is basically a sport, and you should learn how to do it properly. While biking, don’t sit too forward by bending your back. This will lead to back pains. On the other hand, don’t lean back too much either, as that will put more pressure on your arms. Ensure that you have a proper balance and posture throughout your journey. This practice will indeed lower your pain, and you can have a comfortable journey.
- Change Your Bike Seat
Facing some pain for the first few weeks is normal. However, when you have tried everything, and the pain still remains, it means the bike seat is not fit for you. You should get a new bike seat with the correct leg width. You can go to the shop and personally test several options until you find one that fits the best.
Check out: bicycle seats that protect the perineum
Bottom line
So, how long until bike seats stop hurting depends on several factors. It is normal to develop soreness and pain the first few times you ride a bike. Adjust the bike seat as low as possible to reduce the risk of injury and pain in your groin area. Fixing the seat height needs to be a priority when you set up your bike, but don’t accidentally drop the poll inside the frame by trying it yourself.
However, if the pain is too much and stays for a long time, you must implement the above-mentioned methods to alleviate your pain. In any case, if the pain is unbearable, then we strongly recommend you consult with a physician regarding this matter.